Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

I thought it would be fun to do a couple check ins throughout the book, to see how everyone is responding to it.

Is this your first time reading Magician: Apprentice, or is it a re-read?

For first timers – based on the first chapter only, what is your initial impression? Did the story grab you right away? Were you not hooked quite yet, but still interested in continuing? Did it make you want to stab pencils into your eyes and hold your own private book burning ceremony?

For re-readers – based on the first chapter only, is the story grabbing you (or not grabbing you) the same way it did the first time you read it? Are you noticing that you remember less of it than you thought you did? How far in the series have you read? How many re-reads have you done?

Remember to mark all spoilers per the directions below!



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To mark spoilers: Goodreads has a new option that I'm hoping we can all be diligent in using, the spoiler tag! It's an html code that will hide the spoiler so that people can browse the thread without fear and click to open the spoiler only if they are ready.

To do the tag, just surround the text that you want to hide as a spoiler with [spoiler] in front, and [/spoiler] at the end (with [] replaced with <> to make it work). (view spoiler)[Then you get a link like the one you just clicked on that the spoiler hides behind! (hide spoiler)].

If you have any questions, or if you're confused by my instructions, feel free to ask!

I started reading Magician: Apprentice Sunday. It is my third time reading.

It's not grabbing me like it did the first time, though I think that's probably because I'm remembering quite a bit as I read. I'm like, oh yeah. But it is interesting to see the little tidbits of info that will be explained later in depth, stuff I missed on my first pass.

As I read, I'm reminded of things that will happen later and I'm looking forward to those. Some of it happening in Magician: Master as well - (view spoiler)[Such as the stuff in Kelewan. I love that place (hide spoiler)]

I think it's a little fresher than most re-reads too, as my second reading was just four years ago.

This is a reread for me, but it's only my second time through and it's been years since I first read it. I think it actually grabbed me more this time around. I've read all of the books in the series (all as in above and beyond Riftwar), so seeing all of my old favorite characters start to pop up again was really exciting for me. I'm definitely remembering less than I thought I did, which is sweet because it makes it a whole new experience for me.

I will say I'm not crazy about the mullet they gave Pug on my copy: .

Note: I'm reading the combined edition, with Magician: Master. But I'll limit my discussion to the first book.

Yours is the author preferred edition too, isn't it? By that I mean the one published in the 90s, with some previously deleted sections re-added to the book. It's still preferred edition even with the splits, if it's published later. That confused me for awhile.

Chris wrote: "Yours is the author preferred edition too, isn't it? By that I mean the one published in the 90s, with some previously deleted sections re-added to the book. It's still preferred edition even with the splits, if it's published later. That confused me for awhile."

I'm not sure... It has an introduction in the front by Feist saying it's an edited version.. Oh wait, yes, it says "Author Preferred Edition" right on the front. I didn't know there was another version! I wonder what the differences are?

He said the differences were minor. One of them was the discussion between Tully and Kulgan, where they went into the religion vs. magic stuff. Feist said it wasn't essential to read it, in that nothing earth-shattering was different.

There is definitely a difference for me reading this time over my earlier times and I'd have to say some of it is my age and some of it is that I've read it before. (view spoiler)[ Specifically the fact that Tomas becomes a Dragon Lord, I remember being surprised that he ended up being a "main" character way back then. Now, I completely makes sense as Pug is going to need a "sidekick" (hide spoiler)]I think that since I'm older watching Pug grow up doesn't hold the fascination it did when I was younger or closer to his age when I read it. (view spoiler)[ Plus knowing what he becomes it's nice to be reminded of his humble beginnings (hide spoiler)]

This is my first time reading this series. Looks like I'm the first newbie to post in this thread. I started this on Sunday too (figured it was close enough to February and I'd just finished a book.)

Initial impression: hmm, the first chapter was a little hard to get into at first, not too much, but it was more getting used to the style of writing, etc. I'm coming off a YA streak, so I had to reconfigure my thinking. (YA has a distinctive style for the most part.)

As for the story, I found it to be very interesting. I met Pug, who seemed to be a typical fantasy character - orphan being raised in a castle. Then also the magician Kulgan and his helper Meecham. It seems like it is a fairly typical fantasy so far, which is ok with me, I like those kind. I kept reading and am now almost halfway through. I can already tell that this won't be as complex as Janny's series, but so far it has interested me and introduced me to a new world full of adventure and fun, (and I'm sure it's coming - great peril).

I just finished the first chapter. I've got a perfect reading day stuck in my house thanks to the Blizzard of '11. :)

I think I'm a first time reader, as I don't remember Pug, or Kulgan or Meecham from my teen-age days in the 80s of snatch anything filed as fantasy and read it.

The story grabbed me as most typical fantasy novels do. I'm not overly excited about a YA flavor, but the ending of the first chapter brought a smile to my face in a warm and fuzzy sort of way.

Forging ahead while the snow blows . . .

Our blizzard (I'm in MI) won't be here for another hour or so, but soon I'll be right there with you!

This is my first time rereading the book since I was 16 (I'm now 40-mumble). I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying it. I think I have the original UK combined paperback edition (it says published in 1984 and the copyright date is 1982) so certainly not a later author edited version.

I tried rereading The Sword of Shannara fairly recently and found it absolutely dire reading as an adult, so I'd been rather nervous about Magician in case I encountered the same problem, but no, I'm having a lovely time with it.

It's intereting to see how much bigger the font is than most books I read today (something my older eyes are greatly enjoying) and it's nice to have a gentle, easy read after WoLaS (much as I'm loving those).

I'm surprised at how many memories the book brings back, just in its physical presence. Like I said, I was 16 when I read this. I know, because I was after-school-sitting the daughter of a family friend after high school finished for the summer. This friend was my first enabler into fantasy and I happily worked my way through her bookshelves of what are now fantasy classics (this was 1985).

Magician I borrowed and took home with me to keep reading. It went into a bag on the carrier of my bicycle and off I went. Halfway through an intersction I heard a "thud" and glanced back to see it had fallen out. All I could do was stop when I was through the lights and then watch as a car ran right over it. I rescued it during a gap in the traffic (small town in 1985, they still had those), and while it was in relatively good shape (some marks and some rips, but everything was still there) I couldn't possibly give it back to its owner in that condition.

My parents and I (16, remember?) had to order in a new copy to give back to her, and I kept the damaged one. So here I am, all these years later, reading through tire marks and yellowed sellotape where I stuck the pages back together. Ah, nostalgia.

That's a great story Kerry. Now that book can remind you of so much whenever you read it. Quite an enrichment to the whole experience.

I wish there was a blizzard where I live, but it's just cold, so I'm not stuck at home. I had to go to work. I keep thinking it would be nice to have one of those days where you can stay all bundled up at home and read.

Kerry wrote: "This is my first time rereading the book since I was 16 (I'm now 40-mumble). I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying it. I think I have the original UK combined paperback edition (it says published ..."

That is a great story Kerry. And I'm glad to hear it's still fresh for you. I'm stuck at home today due to the @#$%&* blizzard - ice, sleet, freeze over about 3 feet of snow - so hope to get a couple of chapters read.

I'm up to Chapter 7 and am loving it. Very nice, light, easy reading, but it's keeping my interest.

I am reading this book for the first time. As such I have no idea what is going to happen next and can't really tell if there is anything that is foreshadowing future events.

(view spoiler)[Other than the obvious hints that pug is special and has some sort of latent talent {the title, linked with the magicians curiosity etc} (hide spoiler)]

It took me a few pages to get into the story. I still have this feeling that I will have a love hate relationship with Pug. But he has begun to win me over, just not fully yet.

(view spoiler)[I wasn't drawn in until the scene with the Wild Boar, I just didn't care yet I guess when the waves had him. I felt like I should care but I just didn't then again maybe it was Sunday morning sleepiness masking my ability to emote. (hide spoiler)]

The Characters have me curious, which is the important part for me. If I care about the characters, then I will care about the world eventually but the 'people'/characters are the draw for me.

(view spoiler)[ Specifically I am starting to care about Pug. So I smiled and was interested when presented the information of how he came to the Castle. Although Pug was enthralled I wasn't as interested in the changing political control of the lands surrounding Crydee. Yet but I'm sure the information will come in handy later. (hide spoiler)]


By the end of the chapter, I definitely care enough to find out more.

(view spoiler)[I have slight affection for Pug, and even the drake. The creature sounds kind of cute. Even though you will never catch me, personally snuggling with something that has scales ;) (hide spoiler)]

@Kerry - That is so cool that you still have the copy from when you are 16, my family and I moved so many times growing up that I didn't get to keep books, but the clarity of that memory makes me smile.

Kerry wrote: "So here I am, all these years later, reading through tire marks and yellowed sellotape where I stuck the pages back together. Ah, nostalgia. ..."

LOL. That's great! and THAT is also why I'm not convinced I will ever like ebooks... but we'll see.

I'm a fist time reader, and I'm off to a slow start. (late getting the book from the library and then been busy...)

based on the first chapter only, what is your initial impression? Decent. I liked the meeting of the wizard, and the cozy scene at the chapter ending. (view spoiler)[ Fantus snuggling up to Pug. (hide spoiler)]

Did the story grab you right away? Not necessarily, but it didn't bore me either.

Were you not hooked quite yet, but still interested in continuing? That's the one...

Did it make you want to stab pencils into your eyes and hold your own private book burning ceremony? No. Minus that damn mullet on Pugs head. lol (I too have the author's preferred edition.)

You know, I never even noticed that Pug had a mullet until it was pointed out to me. But now that it has been, I can't stop seeing it!

Kara wrote: "No. Minus that damn mullet on Pugs head. lol (I too have the author's preferred edition.)..."

LOL That bugged me too. But I just slipped the dust cover off and set it up on the shelf.

An here I am thinking a mullet is a fish and not remembering Pug had a fish on his head. Google's define:mullet solved that problem for me ;-)

Kernos wrote: "An here I am thinking a mullet is a fish and not remembering Pug had a fish on his head. Google's define:mullet solved that problem for me ;-)"
LOL! Funny. I take it you missed America in the early 80s. (Or even early 90s...? yickes!)

What's a mullet?

It's a hair style. One that is considered to be very tacky.. Business in front and party in the back! LOL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullet_%...

Quick side anecdote... When my son was born he had very little hair... Except for at the back of his neck, where he had a longish tail. We called it his bullet :)

(bullet = baby mullet, lol)

Dawn wrote: "It's a hair style. One that is considered to be very tacky.. Business in front and party in the back! LOL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mullet_%..."

Oh! Eewww! Let's hope he changes hair style later. :)

Bullet = cute.

I don't see Pug as having a mullet in my imagination.. No matter what the cover shows! I refuse to :P

At least he didn't kick into a rendition of "Acky Breaky Heart"....

Dawn wrote: "I don't see Pug as having a mullet in my imagination.. No matter what the cover shows! I refuse to :P"

I have the stylized black and red cover, so I didn't see a picture, thank goodness. :D

Must be my age, I liked mullets . . . :)

Jon wrote: "Must be my age, I liked mullets . . . :)"

Must be :D

Gosh! reading about Riftwar here, really, really makes me want to read it again. Esp, because then I can read the Empire series which I really, really, really want to read again.

Do it! *peer pressure* :)

Dawn wrote: "(bullet = baby mullet, lol) ..."

Cute. =)

Thank goodness for sans mullet! LOL!!!